23A

23A – Your Venture’s Unfair Advantage

The purpose of this exercise is to figure out what actually makes your venture special! What will be the resources that keep competitors from copying what you do and serving your customers better?

Here's what you need to do.

· Generate a list of all of the resources in your venture (produce a list of at least 10 resources that you already possess). This can include your human capital, social capital, financial capital, and capabilities. You may also discuss the organizational culture you intend to create (but, obviously, it's not a resource that you have, now.)

· Conduct a "VRIN" analysis for each resource. That is, describe, for each resource, how it is valuable, rare, inimitable (how hard it is to copy by others), and non-substitutable (are there other resources that can provide the same benefits?).

· Remember, not ALL resources will measure up well. That's OK. You just need one.

· After conducting the VRIN analysis, determine what your top resource is. Explain why it's more important to your venture than all of the other resources.

1. Relationships with Division 1, NBA, and NFL Athletes
Valuable – This is extremely valuable for these students to hear from people who they respect and were in their place.

Rare – Extremely rare to have this opportunity to have people that I know that have played overseas or in professional sports in some way.

Inimitable – Other people can have people that they know that also have this connection but it is not as common.

Non-substitutable – I don’t think many other resources will have an effect on individuals who are trying to play sports In college.

2. Leadership
Valuable – Extremely valuable to have a leadership mentality and be able to lead a group of people to a common goal.

Rare – This is not rare but for some people they just do not know how to lead others.

Inimitable – Depending on the way that you lead an organization it could be hard to copy. Leadership styles are within the person.

Non-substitutable – Money can bring success but at some point you have to someone who brings in the correct organizational culture to keep it running.

3. Tacit Knowledge and Skills
Valuable – Extremely valuable

Rare – Rare in select individuals.

Inimitable – No, this is difficult to transfer to another person.

Non- substitutable – No substitute.

4. Formal Education
Valuable – Extremely valuable for a place that is trying to teach and help they learn.

Rare – Rare in sports facilities because a majority of the staff are high schoolers.

Inimitable – Easy to emulate.

Non- substitutable – No substitute.

5. Physical Ability in Sports
Valuable – Not as valuable from a management level perspective but for staff yes it is.

Rare – Not rare

Inimitable – Easy to emulate.

Non- substitutable – Can be substituted with an ability to be able to coach the kids.

6. Knowledge of Sports
Valuable – Very valuable for a sports facility.

Rare – Not rare.

Inimitable – Easy to copy.

Non- substitutable – This can be substituted by other staff who are knowledgeable of sports.

7. Knowledge of Academics
Valuable – Extremely valuable to have.

Rare – No this is not rare.

Inimitable – Easy to copy.

Non- substitutable – This can be substituted by other staff who are educated.

8. Determination and Drive
Valuable – No doubt you need to have a determined person.

Rare – No, if this is a dream or an opportunity that people feel extremely important then they will have this.

Inimitable – This is easy to copy by others.

Non- substitutable – Yes, you can use your staff to substitute this drive and determination.

9. Welcoming environment and team culture.
Valuable – Yes, this causes people to stay within your company.

Rare – Environments that are not dry and cut-throat allow people to enjoy their work and be relaxed.

Inimitable – The people in your culture cannot be copied.

Non- substitutable – The culture can try to be substituted for a different one.

10. The ability for open ideas and to listen.
Valuable – Yes, people want to be heard.

Rare – Rare with leaders who have a vision and only want to get there.

Inimitable – Not hard to copy.

Non- substitutable – Cannot substitute.



My top resource is the ability to have friends who not only have their education but also have or are playing some type of professional basketball. I have many friends that play division 1 basketball in the NCAA. I also have many friends who play NCAA football and have the ability to give them a call to come and speak and be an influence on these kids at this sports facility.